Mahmudullah leads from front to help Bangladesh seal rare series win over NZ
BCB
|| CF DESK ||
Bangladesh have sealed maiden T20I series win against New Zealand by registering a six-wicket victory at the Sher e Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.
Mahmudullah’s heroic knock of 43 runs leads the side to clinch the consecutive third T20I series win. After Zimbabwe and Australia, the Tigers set the triumph over the Kiwis with one match remaining.
However, they were in trouble when they lost their opener Liton Das (6) with a stunning catch to Finn Allen in the deep-square leg.
Shakib al Hasan and Mohammad Naim made a small partnership of 24 runs, but Shakib fell prey to Ajaz Patel being stumped by the skipper Tom Latham. Then Patel castled experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who was bowled for naught while attempting to sweep.
Then Mahmudullah came to the crease, he added 35 runs with Naim for the fourth wicket. However, Naim was run out by Bracewell setting 67-4 on the board.
Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain comfortably took the side to the port of victory as they chased down the target of 94 runs with six wickets and five balls in hand.
Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers dominated again as Mustafizur Rahman and Nasum Ahmed grabbed four wickets each which propelled the side to restrict the Kiwis on 93 runs losing all wickets in 19.3 overs.
New Zealand got off to a jittery start as opener Rachin Ravindra was caught by the fielder off left-arm spinner Nasum for naught, he also made a wicket-maiden in the first over.
He removed Allen in his next over when the batsman attempted to play a reverse-sweep but was caught at the circle by Mohammad Saifuddin. He returned scoring 12 off 8 deliveries with a six.
Kiwi captain and Will Young tried to rescue the side playing brief innings putting a 35-run stand for the third wicket, but Mahedi Hasan sent off Latham (21) with an easy stumping for the keeper.
Nasum set off again after taking back-to-back wickets of Henry Nichols (1) and de Grandhomme for a golden duck during the 11th over. Nasum ended with his career-best, taking 4 wickets for 10 runs with two maidens in four overs.
New Zealand were at 52 for 5 wickets, Young and Tom Blundell tried to build up a partnership but could not take it further as Mustafizur strike by returning Blundell for 4 while Young was unbeaten on 35. McConchie (0) was also out playing an early shot with a terrific catch to Fizz in the same over.
Young struggled to extend their innings with tail-enders but in the end were all-out with Mustafiz taking four wickets, after bowling 3.3 overs for 12 runs he grabbed four wickets with an economy of 3.42.
